Culture and creativity thrive in the world’s best art cities.
A world devoid of art would be as calamitous as any Greek tragedy – at least in the eyes of aesthetes and cultural buffs. But whatever your aesthetic opinions, we can all agree that the world’s most colourful destinations are all rich in creative culture – be it through theatre, dance, sculpture or painting. These dynamic cities are at the forefront of the international art and culture scene, trumpeting a formidable offering of pioneering galleries, boundary-breaking works and goosebump-inducing performances. From the historic theatres of Paris to the contemporary galleries of Hong Kong, we’ve uncovered the best art cities in the world.
Paris, France
It’s no surprise that the dazzling French capital figures among the world’s best art cities. Buzzing with globally renowned art galleries from the Centre Pompidou to the Musée d’Orsay, Paris is an art lover’s nirvana. Its performing arts scene is just as spectacular. Make sure to see the Paris Opera Ballet, one of the oldest and most prestigious ballet companies in the world, at the Palais Garnier and experience the spirit of Paris’ Golden Age at the Moulin Rouge cabaret.
Read more: 29 things to do in Paris
Copenhagen, Denmark
A global design and architecture paragon, Copenhagen is often placed among the best art cities in the world. Its highlights include the contemporary Galleri Bo Bjerggaard, Design Museum Danmark, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art and The Royal Danish Opera House.
Florence, Italy
Strolling the statue-lined streets and fresco archways of Florence feels like stepping inside a Renaissance painting. This Italian city has a rich artistic heritage thanks to the historical patronage of the House of Medici, whose backing helped artists such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo to flourish. One of the best things to do in Florence for art lovers is to visit the Uffizi Galleries to see the likes of Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, one of the most recognisable paintings in Western art.
Hong Kong
With its influx of innovative new galleries and art spaces, Hong Kong is quickly earning a label as one of the best art cities in the world. The K11 Art Mall creatively blends art and retail, the Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre is rich in ink artist studios, and M+ is home to one of the world’s largest collections of contemporary Chinese art.
Berlin, Germany
Berlin is a mecca for public art. Many of the city’s famous walls are painted with vibrant and political murals, from the famous Berlin Wall and East Side Gallery to the graffiti in Haus Schwarzenberg alley and Kreuzberg. Berlin is also home to a plethora of indoor art and history museums, including the post-war focused DAADGalerie and the interdisciplinary König Gallery.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires is one of the most thriving art cities in the world, hosting one of Latin America’s most popular art fairs (arteBA) and home to a number of outstanding modern and contemporary art museums. The cultural gem was also named UNESCO’s first City of Design in 2005. Take a tour of Teatro Colón, one of the world’s most magnificent theatres, or head to Centro Cultural Recoleta to discover markets, murals, performances and exhibitions.
Hobart, Australia
At the heart of Hobart’s lively art scene lies MONA Art Museum, Australia’s largest private art museum. This provocative collection of modern art and antiquities is known to leave a longstanding impression on visitors. Make sure to also pay a visit to the sandstone warehouses of the Salamanca Arts Centre to experience exciting local exhibitions, live music, artist studios and retail venues.
Barcelona, Spain
Bursting with colour and the influence of the Catalan Modernism movement, Barcelona continues to flex its status as one of the world’s best art cities. The Sagrada Família Cathedral, Gaudi’s masterpiece, and the National Art Museum of Catalonia are both must-visit artistic sites in Barcelona. Make sure to tick off the Picasso Museum, too.
Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo is a bona fide destination for contemporary art lovers. While teamLab Borderless draws inspiration from the city’s technology-driven mindset, offering an immersive digital art museum, Nezu Museum offers an extensive collection of Japanese and Asian pieces, including calligraphy, sculptures and paintings. Tokyo also showcases its diverse art and culture scene through events such as the Tokyo Festival and Japan Media Arts Festival.
Vienna, Austria
Brimming with prestigious performances and breathtaking architecture, Vienna is one of the world’s best cities for art and culture lovers. From the Vienna State Opera to the Albertina Modern Museum and Vienna Mozart Orchestra, creative inspiration is found everywhere you look.
New York, USA
New York is a buzzing cultural capital that sings with diverse artistic voices. Once you’ve spent some time in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, just two of the city’s many well-loved cultural institutions, head to Broadway for a taste of world-class theatre. Then, discover established creators and rising stars at the city’s various art fairs, whether it be Frieze New York or The Armory Show.
San Francisco, USA
San Francisco is steeped in a history of artistic tradition, from street murals to pioneering performing arts. The city boasts more than 200 dance organisations and close to 100 theatres. There’s so much for art-loving visitors to explore, whether it be local film festivals, thrilling ballets or cutting-edge sculptures, paintings and photography at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
Bogotá, Colombia
Any art lover should add the Columbian city Bogotá to their bucket list. The Graffiti district offers inspiring public art, the MAMBO museum an impressive collection of 20th century artwork, and the La Candelaria neighbourhood a rich taste of Bogotá history and architecture. It is in this district that you’ll also find the Botero Museum, which houses more than 100 works by Colombian master artist Fernando Botero.
Prague, Czech Republic
Historically, the Prague art sphere has always had ties to the avant-garde, and this legacy continues today with bold and unexpected contemporary works scattered throughout the city. Look out for the thought-provoking ‘Man Hanging Out’ statue in the old town, peer into the surreal ‘Column of Knowledge’, a towering tunnel sculpture made from thousands of books, or pay a visit to the forward-thinking DOX Centre for Contemporary Art.
London, UK
A list of the world’s best art cities isn’t complete without England’s art-dense capital. From the striking theatre shows of West End to the prestigious London Art Fair and colossal Tate Britain gallery, London has no shortage of activities for art enthusiasts.
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